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The Chairs

Eugène Ionesco

Study Questions and Essay Topics

Suggestions for Further Reading

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Who was Semiramis?

(A) Princess of Egypt

(B) Queen of Assyria

(C) A branch

(D) Goddess of love

Where do the Old Man and Old Woman live?

(A) On a peninsula

(B) In the middle of a field

(C) On an island

(D) In the air

Which of the following does the Old Man say his occupation is?

(A) General factotum

(B) Military general

(C) Photo-engraver

(D) SparkNote writer

Who is the first guest?

(A) Colonel

(B) Belle

(C) Newspapermen

(D) Lady

What is interesting about the Orator?

(A) He cannot walk

(B) He is deaf and dumb

(C) He is only deaf

(D) He is only dumb

The theatrical movement that Ionesco spearheaded was which of the following?

(A) The Theater of the Existential

(B) The Theater of the Absurd

(C) The Theater of the Irrational

(D) The Theater of the Ionesco

What shape is the stage of The Chairs?

(A) Circular

(B) Rectangular

(C) Semicircular

(D) Oblong

Who do the Old Man and Old Woman pay their respects to before committing suicide?

(A) The Orator

(B) Belle and the Photo-engraver

(C) The Colonel

(D) The Emperor

What does the audience do after the Orator leaves?

(A) Nothing; they are invisible

(B) Make noises

(C) Appear visible

(D) Deliver the message

With whom was the Old Man once in love?

(A) Belle

(B) The Lady

(C) No one

(D) Ionesco

What does the Old Woman often ask the Old Man to imitate?

(A) Celebrities

(B) Months of the year

(C) Days of the week

(D) Years

What does the Old Woman do after the room is filled?

(A) Signs autographs

(B) Delivers the message

(C) Sells programs

(D) Nothing

Who is invited to the message?

(A) Anyone who is intellectual

(B) Anyone who is intellectual and proprietary

(C) Anyone who is proprietary

(D) Only the Emperor

In what city does the Old Man's story take place?

(A) Paris

(B) The Garden of Eden

(C) London

(D) Nice

What famous play by Samuel Beckett came out in the same year as The Chairs?